Since someone has to get this forum started I'll volunteer . . . here's the link to my Outdoor Topics Page on my personal website where you'll find my #1-ranked page on Google about "Garnet Hill" in north Raleigh where you can go pick gem-quality garnets for free, some old canoe trip reports on various NC rivers and more . . . do take a look and enjoy!
http://hkentcraig.com/OutdoorIndex.html
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Other uses for the garnets too
You're not kidding about the abundance of garnets in this area! A while back when I was heavily into lapidary as a hobby I would go out to this area after heavy rains to collect plenty of garnets (literally buckets full) which had been exposed through erosion but my main use for them was for a cheap and abundant source of course abrasives for my 12 lb capacity rock and gemstone tumblers.